“I cannot support, nor will I endorse, actions taken that defeat principles that I strongly adhere to,” he wrote.

Dr Douglas said he had been “reliably informed” that a list of preselected candidates for the next state election were to be released today on the PUP website.

He says he had “no involvement” in the selection process — despite being the man Mr Palmer has touted as the next Premier.

“I do not support ‘jobs for the boys’,” he said.

“When I resigned from the LNP in November, 2012, I publicly stated there was a culture in the LNP, and there still is, of looking after mates and relatives, and that I do not support these flawed ideas.

“The public are crying out for politicians to be open, accountable, honest and are looking for committed community champions to represent them.

Dr Douglas said he was not comfortable with the way in which candidates were selected.

“From my understanding, this process does not reflect principles which I firmly support,” he said.

Dr Douglas has been a controversial MP, previously labelling constituents “bogans” and referring to women as lacking the capacity to handle themselves in interviews.

His resignation leaves Member for Yeerongpilly Carl Judge the only remaining Palmer party MP in Queensland Parliament. Mr Judge - who has previously announced plans to shift electorates at the next state election and run against Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie in Kawana - has been appointed as Dr Douglas’ replacement.

Susie Douglas - a key figure within the PUP and Dr Douglas’ wife - told The Courier-Mail she also planned to quit the party this afternoon - saying the move came as a “surprise”.

“This is what it’s come to,” she said.

Dr Douglas’ Twitter profile bio now simply reads: Member for Gaven.

Mr Palmer tweeted shortly after 2pm to announce the promotion, saying “the executive” had “appointed” him the party’s new state leader.

Mr Palmer issued a media release about 3pm to say the “executive” had appointed Mr Judge.

“Carl Judge has a strong commitment to Queensland and he has the character to lead the party to confront the many challenges the state now faces,” Mr Palmer’s statement said.

The statement - which follows Dr Douglas’ vague reference to anger over “jobs for the boys” - also announces that Mr Palmer’s “advisor” Jim MacAnally had been preselected to run in Burleigh against the LNP’s Michael Hart.

Mr Hart this year accused Mr MacAnally of approaching him and trying to offer inducements for him to defect to the PUP.

“Over the coming weeks the Palmer United Party will announce more endorsed candidates under the accordance of the provisions of the party’s constitution,” Mr Palmer said.

“The failure of the current government and the Premier Campbell Newman has been that they’ve run government without proper recognition of LNP members and due process.

“Carl Judge knows you need to work as a team. The Palmer United Party has maintained integrity within the community in Queensland. The Palmer United Party and Carl Judge will deliver for the state of Queensland.”

Mr Judge said via the statement: “I’m looking forward to leading the party at the next state election and I’m sure we will be strongly supported by Queenslanders disillusioned by how the state has been governed by the LNP and Campbell Newman.”

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